Members thebrownsfive Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 Alright gang, Do you have your band name on your trailer or your gig van/bus? I know it is great advertising but there are also arguments on not displaying it. What is the consensus?Thanks,Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jcpatte2 Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 Alright gang, Do you have your band name on your trailer or your gig van/bus? I know it is great advertising but there are also arguments on not displaying it. What is the consensus?Thanks,Steve I'm interested to hear responses as well, since I'm torn at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crustee Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 It worked for The Good Ol' Boys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crustee Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 ...but seriously.... I see people driving around in cars all the time with all sorts of musical instrument bumper stickers all over the back. They think this makes them cool "Hey, look at me! I'm a musician, and you're NOT!". All I see is a vehicle that screams "Hey, break into me. I might have some expensive gear you can pawn for your next fix!" Same would go for a trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vito Corleone Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 I think it depends on the type of gigs you do. If you're driving around your local town a lot and heading home to a safe place after every gig, it could be great advertising and help get your name 'out there'. If you do what my band does--a lot of travel gigs where the trailer is left in a hotel parking lot overnight---it seems to me to be a big sign saying "Expensive Musical Equipment Inside--Please Steal!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Flogger59 Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 Bad, bad idea. Stealth is the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vito Corleone Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 I was driving home from the Bay Area through Sacramento a couple of weeks ago and I ran up alongside one of our main 'competition' band's trailer being towed down the freeway. Really nice paint job with their logo, phone number and URL. Just a giant travelling business card really. I could easily see somebody seeing that and thinking "hey, I need a band for an event, and these guys look pro--I think I'll check 'em out!" I thought it looked really cool and I was kind of jealous to a degree. But then I reality-checked myself and realized that these guys, based in Sacramento, rarely gig out of town and probably park that trailer in somebody's garage after every show. But I'm curious about how they feel about the risk they are taking on the gigs where they don't go home. Personally, I wouldn't take the risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MDLMUSIC Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 I'm thinking that the best alternative would be one of those magnetic, stick-on signs. Thay way you could advertise while driving around, then take it off when you leave it parked somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sbrett Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 If your band's name is 'hazardous waste', 'poopy diaper disposal service', or something else along those lines then you could probably get away with advertising on your trailer/van without worrying too much about a break in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vito Corleone Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 I'm thinking that the best alternative would be one of those magnetic, stick-on signs. Thay way you could advertise while driving around, then take it off when you leave it parked somewhere. Unless it was really big (if we're talking a trailer), I think one of those magnetic signs would look rather hokey. But maybe I'm just too fixated on thinking of the little signs you'd see on the side of the door of somebody's landscaping pickup or the station wagon of a real estate agent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Lee Knight Posted July 19, 2012 Moderators Share Posted July 19, 2012 I think it's OK but only if you leave the key in the trailer door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thebrownsfive Posted July 19, 2012 Author Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 With the hockey puck style (hidden shackle) locks for trailers, you would need a cutting torch to break in it. I don't think I can get magnets to work on our trailer, I think the panels are aluminum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jwlussow Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 Bad, bad idea. Stealth is the way to go. 100% correct. Why advertise the fact that there is a bunch of expensive and very hard to trace gear available to anyone who cares to steal it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jwlussow Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 With the hockey puck style (hidden shackle) locks for trailers, you would need a cutting torch to break in it. I don't think I can get magnets to work on our trailer, I think the panels are aluminum. Nah. Thieves can be much more clever then that. No trailer is theft proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wheresgrant3 Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 We're getting our new trailer decal 'wrapped' this weekend. I guess it all depends on where you live and gig. Down near NYC would I think about it. No probably not.. but up here in the 'sticks' we've had no problems at all. In fact... it they were ever stolen (#1 they would need a sizable truck for the trailer... dual axle 14" and about 6,000 lbs trailer weight) it would probably make it more identifiable. There's no easy places to fence things in my area and we can't drive more than 1-2 miles without someone honking their horn or waving. So it would be a pretty big target. I'd say factor your geographics/demographics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vito Corleone Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 Nah. Thieves can be much more clever then that. No trailer is theft proof. Yep. If they suspect there's valuable stuff inside, they'll cut off a side panel or steal the whole trailer. A good lock might keep the neighborhood hooligans from getting inside, but there are those out there who are complete pros at this sort of stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thebrownsfive Posted July 19, 2012 Author Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 Nah. Thieves can be much more clever then that. No trailer is theft proof. I think I would need to contact a thief because if I lost the keys to my locks, I would be screwed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mr3lions Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 We used to try and find a place where we could reverse the back door up to a wall and still leave the pick-up hooked up. Still I always made sure my favourite guitar was in my room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MusicalSchizo Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 I think it's OK but only if you leave the key in the trailer door. And tell me where you're parked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SpaceNorman Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 I've got zero hard data to back up me up - so it's purely my opinion when I say I'd go the stealth route on this. I'm a firm believer that "announcing" there's a pile of electronic gear right here is an invitation for trouble. While location is no doubt a factor - I've seen/heard enough about thefts taking place in virtually all corners of my area (including the perceived good neighborhoods) - that I can't see how advertising doesn't increase the risk of attracting attention from the wrong folks regardless of location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarguy19 Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 Unless it was really big (if we're talking a trailer), I think one of those magnetic signs would look rather hokey. We don't have a trailer...but I like this idea. I don't think it's hokey at all as long as you make the sign look nice and it has your logo and stuff. Put some effort into it...so it isn't just cheesy black arial font on white... Plus it won't hurt resale value of your trailer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vito Corleone Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 We don't have a trailer...but I like this idea. I don't think it's hokey at all as long as you make the sign look nice and it has your logo and stuff. Put some effort into it...so it isn't just cheesy black arial font on white... It'd have to be a REALLY good sign, IMO. I think most magnetic signs scream 'amateur'. OTHO, I think a painted logo on a band trailer looks really pro. So I don't think it's a reasonable 2nd choice. I'd rather go without than go with a magnetic sign. Speaking, of course, from a strictly advertising standpoint. I still advocate nothing at all due to the risk-of-theft factor. And also I'd look heavily into WHY you want to do this. If you really think it would be good promotion, then it's something to consider. But if it's just some sort of vanity deal....maybe you're better off without. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ckcondon Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 Another vote for no markings. It's all good until it isn't, and that one time you will lose everything. Better ways to market the band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members KindredDuo Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 As the victim of a theft from an unmarked van in a supposedly guarded lot, I'd go unmarked. I don't think I've even seen big acts travelling with logos. They only want to get to and from with as little hassle as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kmart Posted July 19, 2012 Members Share Posted July 19, 2012 ...they would need a sizable truck for the trailer... dual axle 14" and about 6,000 lbs trailer weight) it would probably make it more identifiable. Ummm...I don't think most of us are talking about someone coming by and hooking up/driving off with your trailer. We're talking about someone breaking in and taking items out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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